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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
College football is adding helmet communication in FBS games, a two-minute timeout at the end of each half, and other changes approved this week by the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Committee.
For games involving FBS teams, each team will have the option of using coach-player communication via one player's helmet on the field (denoted by a green dot in the midline of the helmet). Masu. Helmet communications were used by several teams during the recent bowl season, and will now be an option for all games in the sport's top division.
Communication between coaches and players will be cut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or the snap of the ball, whichever comes first. Other levels of football, including the NFL and some high school associations, have long used helmet communications for signals during play. FBS coaches have been discussing the technology for several years, but the NCAA Football Rules Committee didn't propose it until March. Concerns about cost, logistics, liability and warranties for the modified helmets contributed to the delay.
The topic gained further attention after the NCAA began investigating Michigan State for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated signal-stealing system. Georgia coach Kirby Smart and co-chairs of the rules committee said they still expect many teams to use hand signals and signs to relay plays.
Teams in all soccer divisions also have the option to watch in-game video using a tablet. Up to 18 tablets will be distributed on the sidelines, locker rooms and coaches' booths to study game feeds and camera angles from the team's sidelines and end zones. Tablets can be viewed by the entire team, but cannot connect to other devices, project larger images, or provide data or analysis.
The NCAA committee also approved automatic timeouts with two minutes left in the second and fourth quarters, similar to the NFL's two-minute warning. Timeouts are not additional TV his timeouts. All his timing rules are synchronized, including the 10-second runoff and stopping the clock when he gets a first down on an inbound.
New rules allow conferences to use collaborative playback reviews. Horse collar tackles inside the tackle box will also result in a 15-yard penalty. Previously, no foul was called for such a tackle inside the tackle box.
